Patient radiation protection in positron emission tomography

Patient radiation protection in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is closely related to the correct execution of studies: proper scanner performance, and optimization of both image quality and patient dose. We describe the quality control tests considered as essential: scanner stability, spatial resolution, sensitivity and tomographic uniformity. Knowledge of the dose received by the critical organ and the effective dose for each radiopharmaceutical allows the establishment of strategies for dose optimization. Although a great variety of PET tracers exist, we review the dose produced by F-FDG, the most widely used tracer, and those used in our PET Center O-Water, N-Ammonia, C-Methionine, C-Choline, F-Choline, F-Dopa, and F-FHBG. Reduction of administered activity to the patient is the direct way to reduce the dose. Thus, PET acquisition in the 3D mode, with higher sensitivity, is a determining factor. In order to reduce the dose to different organs, efforts should be directed to the critical organs, mainly the urinary bladder wall. Finally, correct patient preparation improves, PET image quality, due to an optimum tracer uptake, which optimizes the dose to different organs. (Author) 25 refs